GENERAL TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS

(2014-2015)

Policy Statement

The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to regulate the use of all vehicles on campus and to forbid the use of a vehicle by any person not complying with the regulations on campus as applicable to Mississippi state law and Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning. The Department of Parking Management (DPM) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the parking regulations. Except where indicated, all regulations contained herein are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (Miss.Code Ann.§ 37-105-3)

Reason for Policy/Purpose

This policy is required for the effective communication of university policy regarding traffic and parking regulations.

Who Needs to Know This Policy

All members of The University of Southern Mississippi community.

Website Address for this Policy

www.usm.edu/institutional-policies/policy-stua-pm-001

Definitions

Policy/Procedures

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 105, Section 37-105-1 and Section 37-105-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning hereby enacts the rules and regulations for vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles on the campus and grounds of The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Parking registration is an individual responsibility. Parking permits are issued to individuals, and ownership is nontransferable. By obtaining a permit, the permit holder agrees to become familiar with and abide by the rules and regulations. Parking permits must be properly displayed 24 hours a day. (See parking regulations, Section 4, subparagraph 4.2.)

Southern Miss assumes no liability for damages, including flood damage or loss to any vehicle or vehicle contents while parked or in operation on university property. Southern Miss does not guarantee a parking space, nor does purchasing a parking permit guarantee a parking space. Campus parking spaces are zoned, and eligibility to park in a particular parking zone is determined by where the permit holder resides.

VISITORS

Visitors are always welcome to The University of Southern Mississippi campus. The Department of Parking Management wants you to have a safe and enjoyable visit to our campus. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass before parking.

A visitor is any person, other than a student, faculty/staff member or employee, who parks a vehicle on the campus on infrequent occasions. Visitors may obtain visitor permits, complete a visitor card and park in legal parking spaces. Visitors who park frequently on the campus must purchase parking permits and are subject to all regulations herein.

To obtain a parking permit and register your vehicle, visit the Information Booth on East Memorial Drive (front entrance of campus) or the Department of Parking Management in McLemore Hall, first floor. Visitors must show a valid driver's license to obtain a visitor pass.

RESERVED PARKING

Southern Miss may reserve parking spaces as necessary for handicapped persons, visitors, Eagle Club members, Lucas reserve, Polymer reserve and others. Parking spaces for Eagle Club members will be reserved prior to and during home football and basketball games. Unauthorized vehicles parked in these designated reserved areas will be cited and towed at the owner's expense.

HANDICAPPED PARKING

Southern Miss faculty/staff and students who operate a motor vehicle on university-controlled property with permanent or temporary disabilities are required to properly display a federal or state-sanctioned handicapped placard or tag accompanied by a Southern Miss handicapped parking permit. To purchase a Southern Miss handicapped parking permit, each individual will be required to register and submit a copy of a state-issued handicapped placard to the Department of Parking Management (DPM). (See vehicle registration Section 2, subparagraph 2.3, 2.19, zone designations Section 3, subparagraph 3.9 and Section 7, subparagraph 7.11.)

Visitors are required to stop at the Information Booth, located at the front entrance of the campus on East Memorial Drive, or the Department of Parking Management, McLemore Hall, room 152, to register for a handicapped parking pass.

For further information regarding services for individuals with disabilities on campus, call the Office for Disability Accommodations at 601.266.5024, TTY: 601.266.6837, or go to www.usm.edu/ids.

TOWING/BOOTING

Southern Miss is authorized to boot, tow or impound, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle that has been issued four or more parking citations in an academic year (paid or unpaid). Booting or towing a vehicle is also authorized in the following cases: a vehicle is issued two parking citations for not displaying a DPM parking permit, a vehicle is inoperable or appears to be abandoned, a vehicle is obstructing traffic, a vehicle is parked in a fire lane or near a fire hydrant, a vehicle is parked illegally in any reserved space, a vehicle is parked illegally in a handicap/handicapped curb cut (wheelchair ramp) space or falsifying/altering of a permit/handicapped placard, a vehicle is parked in a No Parking Tow Zone, a vehicle is parked in a Service Zone without the required DPM permit, or a vehicle is parked on sidewalk/grounds. (See penalties, Section 7, subparagraph 7.4, 7.5 and 7.7.)

Review

The Director of Parking Management is responsible for the review of this policy every four years (or whenever circumstances require immediate review).